Support networks and dementia

Based on data from a sample of 4500+ people aged 65+ living in the community (ie not in residential care) in Liverpool, this article presents data on the availability of kin and levels of contact with family, friends neighbours and community groups, and compares the distribution of support network types of those identified as cases of dementia with non-cases. It is shown that dementia sufferers are more likely to live with others and to have more contact with family members and less contact with friends, neighbours and community groups than non-sufferers. It is also shown that the distribution of network type is distinctively different for cases and non-cases and it is suggested that this reflects the greater ability of some types of network to support continued community residence in the face of the onset of dementia.     

老年人生活质量构成与保健模式探讨

老年人随着年龄增长，健康状况下降，生活质量受到严重影响。如何认识和构建新型的多层次保健模式，以提高老年人的生活质量，使他们健康长寿，将成为社会关注的热点问题。     

4409名学生心理健康状况及家庭环境与吸烟行为分析

目的:探讨中学生心理行为特征和心理健康状况及家庭心理环境与中学生吸烟行为的关系.方法:以苏州市4409名初中、高中、职业中学的学生为对象,采用SCL-90、家庭环境量表和自编问题进行问卷调查.结果:反叛性、冒险性强,倾向早熟、毅力差、顺从敏感性高是吸烟的危险因素,而情感调节性和认同敏感性与吸烟无关;吸烟组与对照组SCL-90在总分、阳性项目数、躯体化、强迫症状、人际关系敏感、抑郁、焦虑、敌对、恐怖、偏执、精神病性方面的评分均高于对照组,且有统计学意义(P＜0.01);吸烟组在FES-CV中的亲密度、情感表达、知识性、道德宗教观、组织性平均分明显低于对照组(P＜0.01),而在FES-CV的矛盾性的平均分则明显高于对照组(P＜0.01).结论:中学生行为的反叛性、冒险性、早熟性、毅力性和不良心理健康水平是中学生吸烟的危险因素;同时不良家庭关系也是中学生吸烟的危险因素,一个亲密、融洽的家庭环境可能会减少中学生吸烟,而一个矛盾的家庭则可能会增加中学生吸烟.     

介导感觉生理功能的瞬时受体电位通道蛋白(TRP)家族研究进展

瞬时受体电位通道蛋白(TRP)家族由一类特殊的阳离子通道蛋白组成,在神经细胞及其他非兴奋细胞中有重要作用,其中在介导多种感觉生理功能方面的作用尤其显著.TRP结构与功能的深入研究为阐明感觉生理功能的分子机制提供了重要线索.本文综述TRP家族在温度感受、机械刺激感受、光感受和化学信号感受等方面的研究进展.     

Simulating realistic zero loop pedigrees using a bipartite Prufer code and graphical modelling.

Graph algorithms previously developed by the authors are adapted to simulate pedigrees similar to those used in genetic linkage studies which associate disease phenotypes with specific genomic locations. Pedigrees are chosen uniformly at random from the set of those with specified numbers of individuals and matings and which contain no loops. Summary statistics from pedigrees generated in this way can be used to check real pedigrees for anomalies due to biased sampling or phenotypic effects on the pedigree structure.     

A recycling framework for the construction of Bonferroni‐based multiple tests

In this paper we describe Bonferroni‐based multiple testing procedures (MTPs) as strategies to split and recycle test mass. Here, ‘test mass’ refers to (parts of) the nominal level α at which the family‐wise error rate is controlled. Briefly, test mass is split between different null hypotheses, and whenever a null hypothesis is rejected, the part of α allocated to it may be recycled to the testing of other hypotheses. These recycling MTPs are closed testing procedures based on raw p‐values associated with testing the individual null hypotheses, and the class of such MTPs includes, for example, serial and parallel gatekeeping, fallback and Holm procedures. Graphical displays and a concise algebraic notation are provided for such MTPs. This recycling approach has pedagogical advantages and may facilitate the tailoring of MTPs for different purposes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Choosing a career in general practice: the influence of medical schools

Summary. This paper reviews the literature on career choice to investigate the undergraduate influences on the preference of Australian graduates for a career in general practice. Although isolation of influencing factors is difficult, admission criteria and undergraduate curricula may influence career preference. As the institutional environment of medical schools is weighted towards scientific research and specialized medicine, medical students may be socialized into choosing non-generalist careers. Medical schools should consider broadening selection criteria and curriculum exposure to produce graduates with a broad range of career interests.     

Relationships between demographic variables and family dynamics of childbearing families

Hakulinen T, Paunonen M, Laippala P. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1997; 3: 247–254
Relationships between demographic variables and family dynamics of childbearing families
In this study relationships between demographic variables and family dynamics of childbearing families in Finland were studied. The sample was 160 urban families expecting their first or second child in the third trimester of pregnancy. One-hundred and eighteen families participated in the study. The Family Dynamics Questionnaire (FDQ) and the Family Dynamics Measure (FDM) were used in this study. Most expectant parents reported their family was well-functioning. Mothers of higher socioeconomic status found more flexibility in their families than mothers of lower socioeconomic status. Fathers in families expecting their first baby reported more mutuality, role reciprocity and more stability than second-time fathers. The findings contribute cues for public health nurses and midwives regarding parity, socioeconomic status and family dynamics to provide more specific family guidance during the transition to parenthood. Realistic information on the changes in family dynamics after childbirth should be given to pregnant parents.     

Can communication skills be assessed independently of their context?

In many examinations, communication skills tend to be treated as if they are a single attribute independent of the context of the communication. However, it is clear that such assessments are confounded by candidates' knowledge or lack of knowledge of the medical issues about which they are communicating. In the 1990 Part One examination for Membership of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners candidates were provided with all the essential knowledge relevant to the problem they were to communicate about. Despite this, performance was still seen to be context specific, demonstrating that such specificity is not purely knowledge related. Candidates completing the examination were observed to share information about the cases with candidates about to commerce. There was no evidence that performance was enhanced by such breaches in examination security.     

The impact of combat trauma across the family life cycle: Clinical considerations

Clinical experience and research with veterans of the Second World War and subsequent military conflicts have demonstrated the longstanding nature of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder and the reverberating effects upon the families of traumatized individuals. The consequences of combat trauma during various stages of family life are discussed. Specifically, the impact upon (a) courtship and mate selection, (b) marriage, (c) childbirth and childrearing, (d) marriage in mid-life, (e) children leaving home, and (f) retirement in late life are reviewed. Finally, clinical considerations for the practice of family psychotherapy in this area are presented.Portions of this paper were presented at the First European Congress of Psychology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, July 6, 1989. Support for the preparation of this paper was provided by the Medical Research Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The authors extend their gratitude to Drs. Barbara McClure and Harvey A. Taub for their editorial assistance on an earlier version of this article.